Resident raises safety concerns about student transportation; board members urge caution at stop arms

Edward, a resident who said he is a former Ontario Bus employee, told the Greece Board of Education during public comment that the district’s contracted transportation company has safety and staffing problems and requested an investigation. "On June 24, a driver left a special need kid on the bus, at Dewey Avenue," Edward said, adding that he was told the driver was fired but "Ontario bus did not notify the transportation department." He also said police and parents were not notified and that "there's an investigation going on about that issue." Edward said he left the company and described staffing and language challenges among drivers.

The claims were public comment; board members did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting. Board President Sean McCabe said residents should treat stop-school-bus events seriously and described a county bus-patrol program that places cameras on buses and issues tickets to motorists who pass stop arms. "If you see a stop school bus, stop," McCabe said, calling the number of violations "ridiculous." Board member Lyke also urged motorists to watch for school buses as the new school year begins.

Why it matters: Student transportation safety involves direct risks to children and relies on contractors, drivers, notification protocols and enforcement of traffic laws. Public allegations that a contractor failed to notify district transportation staff and that parents and police were not informed prompted a request for investigation from a community member, while board members emphasized traffic enforcement and driver compliance with stop arms.

Details and context: Edward said the company started eight years ago and has grown from about 10 employees to roughly 400, and he described workplace practices he characterized as unsafe, including drivers who do not speak English and staff he said were required to work while contagious with COVID-19. He said he had documentation from physicians about being required to return to work after infection. Those claims were presented as Edward’s account; the district and Ontario Bus were not recorded as responding during the meeting.

Board response and next steps: No formal motion to investigate was recorded in the public meeting minutes provided in the transcript. McCabe highlighted the county's bus-patrol enforcement as an existing tool to deter motorists from illegally passing stopped school buses. The board did not announce any immediate personnel or contract actions during the meeting.

Public-record limits: The allegations came during the public comment period. The board did not take testimony under oath, and the transcript does not show whether the district’s transportation office or the bus contractor has opened a formal, documented inquiry in response to the statements made.

Ending: Community members with direct evidence or concerns about contracted transportation were not recorded as having been invited to present additional documentation at the meeting. The transcript reflects that public comment raised safety concerns and that board leaders reiterated traffic enforcement tools; it does not show a formal board-led investigation or vote on the contractor during this session.